Join the Charlotte Pride team!

Applications are now open! Join a Charlotte Pride team!

Charlotte Pride is now accepting applications from community members who would like to join our festival, parade, and event planning teams. This application is an opportunity for you to engage in long-term volunteer leadership work with Charlotte Pride. 

Charlotte Pride Event Teams:

• Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade
• Reel Out Charlotte — The Queen City’s Annual Film Festival

Charlotte Pride is a collaborative, volunteer-driven community organization whose volunteer leaders work together and through consensus to make our events and programs a success. Our two primary events — the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade and Reel Out Charlotte — are planned by collaborative teams of volunteers, board members, and the organization’s staff. We all work closely together in a variety of individual teams which work to conceptualize, envision, and implement components of each event. Individual teams meet monthly, with a secondary full festival and parade team meeting with all individual teams. Planning for the both festival and parade and Reel Out Charlotte takes place over several months. We invite you to join us in these essential and long-term volunteer leadership roles, giving you the opportunity to substantially give back to our Charlotte and Carolinas LGBTQ community.  

General Expectations/Responsibilities for Team Leads

• Act as your team’s project manager and primary liaison with staff 
• Attend a full festival and parade team meeting with all team leads and members once monthly 
• Organize and host a meeting with your team members at least once monthly, in person or virtually 
• Set the agenda for your monthly team meeting and take notes 
• Regularly communicate with your team members and follow up with them on any tasks that have been delegated to them 
• Regularly communicate with staff or board members about your team’s progress 
• Commit to checking your Pride email regularly 
• Commit to work between 3 – 5 hours per week on assigned projects and activities 
• Plan to commit up to 10 hours per week in the four-eight weeks leading up to the festival and parade (or Reel Out Charlotte*) 
• Plan to increase your presence and commitment the week of the festival and parade with your full presence required during the festival and parade weekend (Friday, Aug. 18-Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023)* 
• Team lead roles are well suited for community members who already have experience with volunteer leadership roles with significant responsibilities or for individuals with relevant professional experience 

* Members of the Reel Out Charlotte Team should expect to be present for the week of the film festival, Spring 2023 dates to be determined.  

General Expectations/Responsibilities for Team Members

• Attend a meeting with your team lead and members at least once monthly, in person or virtually 
• Attend a full festival & parade team meeting with all team leads and members once monthly 
• Regularly communicate with your team lead and your fellow team members  
• Commit to, follow-through with, and provide regular updates on any tasks you are assigned 
• Commit to work between 3 – 5 hours per week on assigned projects and activities, with some increased responsibilities in the four-eight weeks leading up the festival and parade (or Reel Out Charlotte*) 
• Plan to increase your presence and commitment the week of the festival and parade with your full presence required during the festival and parade weekend (Friday, Aug. 18-Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023)* 
• Team member roles are well suited for a wide range of community members, including those with past volunteer leadership experience, relevant professional experience, or those who are first starting out on their volunteer leadership journey. All skill levels and talents are welcome! 

* Members of the Reel Out Charlotte Team should expect to be present for the week of the film festival, Spring 2023 dates to be determined.  

How to Apply

• Read the general expectations and requirements above
• Peruse the listing of team descriptions and open positions below
• Click on the appropriate application button to apply as a team lead or as a team member

Application Timeline

November 7 — Applications open
November 30 — Applications closed
December 2 — Applicants notified
December 14 — Combined 2023 Festival & Parade and Reel Out Charlotte Team Meeting / Welcome and Onboarding (Details TBA)

Application and Interview Process

This process helps Charlotte Pride identify new leaders, voices, and skills to help increase the impact that we can make on our community together. Before any community member takes on a leadership role, we want you to be aware of the amount of work and time you’ll be expected to commit. The descriptions of our team responsibilities, as well as this interview process, will help you make the best decision on where your time and talent can best be utilized. 

All team lead applicants will be required to attend an interview with Charlotte Pride staff. Team member applicants may be asked to attend an interview if staff have questions or would like to get to know you better.  

Please be sure you have completely reviewed the description and time commitment expectations of the role for which you are applying. 

Have questions? Feel free to email us at staff@charlottepride.org. 

2023 Team Lead & Member Applications

Drag Team 

The Drag Team is responsible for planning, managing, and staffing the annual Charlotte Pride Drag Pageant, a gender-inclusive drag pageant which currently awards the titles of Mx. Charlotte Pride, Ms. Charlotte, and Mr. Charlotte Pride. In coordination with staff and other teams, including the Entertainment Team, the Drag Team’s responsibilities include envisioning the pageant themes, rules, and regulations, crafting the program of the pageant, recruiting potential contestants to apply for the pageant, coordinating pageant judges and DJ and other programmatic elements, ensuring the presence and participation of past Charlotte Pride Drag Pageant titleholders and newly crowned titleholders in the pageant and other Charlotte Pride events, and managing the day-of pageant stage, as well as any follow-up communication, orientation, and onboarding of the next Charlotte Pride Drag Court.  

[ Click Here to Apply as Team Lead ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ] 

Entertainment Team 

The Entertainment Team is responsible for helping coordinate local, regional, and national talent to fill entertainment stages at the festival and parade. The team collaborates on various tasks, including brainstorming and recruitment of entertainers, entertainer outreach, development of stage schedules and stage guides, proactive communication with entertainers about stage times and expectations, and backstage and talent management. The Entertainment Team works closely with staff, board members, and other teams, including the Flourish, Drag, VIP, Parade, and Operations Teams. 

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]   

Festival Vendors Team 

The Festival Vendors Team is responsible for the management of festival vendors and oversees and manages the entire process from application, to evaluation, to selection and vendor placement, and to load-in and load-out at the festival. The team manages and staffs festival vendor check-in and assists vendors with finding their location in the festival zone. The team is the primary on-site contact and troubleshooter for vendors. The Festival Vendors Team works closely with board, staff, and other teams, including the Operations Team.  

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]   

Finance Team 

The Finance Team is led by the Charlotte Pride Board Treasurer. The Finance Team is responsible for planning and managing on-site sales during the festival and parade weekend. Team members will plan and coordinate the processes for beverage ticket sales and will staff and manage ticket tents, acting as primary finance managers and on-site liaisons with the Charlotte Pride Board Treasurer. Those who apply to be members of the Finance Team are expected to demonstrate honesty, integrity, and a general knowledge, familiarity, and trustworthiness with money-handling. Applicants to this team may be asked to provide a resume or references.  

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]   

Flourish Team 

The Flourish Team is responsible for envisioning, leading, and managing the indoor arts components of the festival, including arts showcases of local performers, arts, and culture groups. The team recruits performers and artists to participate in the festival’s arts activation, “Flourish: A Celebration of LGBTQ Arts and Culture.” The team works to create performance schedules, communicate with performers, and works closely with board, staff, and other teams, including the Entertainment and VIP Teams.  

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]   

Interfaith Team

The Interfaith Team is responsible for organizing and programming the annual Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service. Tasks include identifying a host venue and programming the event, including speakers, musical groups, and other elements. The Interfaith Team is ideal for individuals who value and respect the diversity of faith traditions in our community and who are passionate about ongoing, intentional outreach throughout the year to faith communities including those from underrepresented religious and ethnic communities.  

[ Click Here to Apply as Team Lead ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]  

Operations Team 

The Operations Team is an essential component of each year’s festival and parade planning and on-the-ground implementation. The Operations Team is responsible for overseeing and managing all event logistics, including equipment rental, electrical and water needs, beverage and ice distribution, festival and parade mapping, safety planning, storage, equipment transportation, and vendor placement (in collaboration with the Festival Vendors Team). This team works closely with all other teams, staff, and board members. Due to the vital nature of this team, team members should have a volunteer, professional, or educational background in event planning, operations, or logistics.   

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]   

Parade Team 

The Parade Team is an essential component of each year’s festival and parade planning and on-the-ground implementation. The Parade Team is responsible for and oversees the parade line-up, parade staging, on-the-ground direction and timing, parade emcee coordination and management, and outreach to parade participants, including best practices for parade check-in and staging, and participant organization and line-up. Due to the vital nature of this team, team members should have a volunteer, professional, or educational background in event planning, operations, or logistics. 

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]   

Reel Out Charlotte Team 

The Reel Out Charlotte Team oversees the review and selection of short films to be screened at the annual LGBTQ film festival. Team members are tasked with watching film submissions, rating them, and discussing them as a group, with final film selection made by consensus. Team members also assist staff in reviewing feature-length films, planning special events (receptions, panel discussions, etc.), and staffing the multiday event.  

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]   

VIP Team 

The VIP Team is responsible for planning, overseeing, and managing the entire VIP Experience at the festival and parade. The team works with staff to ensure all deliverables and deadlines are met, in compliance with the requests and requirements of the VIP Experience sponsor and the host venue. Essential areas of oversight and tasks include coordination of the VIP lounge set-up, décor, staffing, and clean-up, VIP ticketing and communication, catering, beverage service, gift bags, stage viewing areas, and entertainment and programming. This team accomplishes these tasks in very close coordination with staff and other teams, including the Operations and Entertainment Teams. This team is perfect for those who have a catering, hospitality, or event/party planning background. 

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]   

Volunteer Team 

The Volunteer Team works to develop active, thoughtful community outreach to further expand volunteer engagement with Charlotte Pride and the festival and parade. The team coordinates outreach to possible partners (including corporate affinity groups), develops volunteer events and socials, manages the recruitment and signup of volunteers for the festival and parade, and ensures the proper orientation, communication, and follow-up with new volunteers. The team is present during the festival and parade and actively manages volunteers during the weekend, helping to fill festival needs as they arise and to deliver volunteers to zones where they’re needed. The Volunteer Team plans and manages the festival and parade Volunteer Tent, ensuring the area includes all the food, refreshments, supplies, and amenities to keep volunteers comfortable during the weekend. The Volunteer Team works closely with staff, board, and all other teams to identify volunteer needs for the weekend festival and parade event.  

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]   

Youth & Family Team 

The Youth & Family Team is responsible for creating an inventive, fun, and intentional safe space for children, young people (age 21 and under), and their families at the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade. This team will plan, oversee, manage, and staff the Youth & Family Zone, in coordination with staff and the requests of the zone’s sponsor and host venue. The team plans and coordinates activities with multiple youth- and family-serving partner organizations. Primary tasks include envisioning and planning the venue layout, set-up and clean-up, entertainment, programming, and amenities to keep children, young people, and their families safe, entertained, and comfortable. Team members will recruit, screen, manage, and supervise other volunteers who can respond to the needs of children, young people, and their families. All members and leaders of this team are subject to additional screening prior to joining the team.  

[ Team Lead Position Already Filled ]   [ Click Here to Apply as a Team Member ]